Monument record 6942 - Open Field System, Harpole

There were four named fields by 1682 and reference to a heath. The open fields were enclosed in 1778.

{2} There were two fields in a grant of 1313. The demesne had a third waste in 1338, so there seems to have been a change in field number. Four fields are named in 1682- Northampton Field, North and Nether Field and Hill Field. There were three tilths. There is reference to a heath. Enclosed in 1778.

{3} The common fields of the parish were enclosed by an Act of Parliament of 1778. Ridge-and-furrow of these fields exists on the ground or can be traced on air photographs over almost the entire parish with the exception of the land in the S. liable to flood along the R. Nene and in the extreme N. of the parish where it may never have existed. On the lower, gently sloping ground in the S. half of the parish it is arranged in markedly rectangular furlongs end-on or at right angles to each other. On the higher, more broken land to the N. the ridge-and-furrow is arranged to run across the contours in a pattern of radiating and interlocking furlongs. Almost everywhere the ridges have marked reversed-S curves. Among the features of interest are well-marked hollowed access-ways running between end-on furlongs (e.g. SP 696610 and 681608–685607). A more unusual feature not noted elsewhere is visible in the S. of the parish close to the R. None (SP 683594 and 687595). Two normal rectangular furlongs with ridges running down the slope towards the river each have three curved ridges at their S. end lying parallel to the river.

<1> Hollowell S., 1999, Northamptonshire Inclosure: The Commissioners and Other Officials, p.45 (unchecked) (Article). SNN102530.

<2> HALL D.N., 1995, The Open Fields of Northamptonshire, p. 289-90 (Series). SNN56219.

<3> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1982, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p.74 (Series). SNN77382.

<4> Royal Air Force, 1940s, RAF Vertical Aerial Photographs, RAF VAP CPE/UK/1926, 4032–6 (Aerial Photograph(s)). SNN105266.

<5> Oblique Aerial Photograph, CPE/UK/1994, 1258–62; F21 543/RAF/2409, 0138–41; F22 543/RAF/2409, 0110–4; (Aerial Photograph(s)). SNN111738.

Record last edited

Sep 4 2026 1:54PM